The Best Orange Tofu

Before my vegan days, we used to frequent this little family-owned restaurant called Golden Bowl. They had THE BEST Orange Chicken. It is one dish whose flavors I have been missing majorly for a long time, and hadn’t figured out a successful vegan version that really hit the nail on the head for me…UNTIL NOW! This Orange Tofu is everything wonderful I remember about Orange Chicken. The battered & fried tofu is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and glazed in the perfectly sticky-sweet & tangy orange sauce. Happiness is this right here.

Ingredients

(For The Tofu)

2 Blocks of Extra-Firm Tofu – 24 oz (Drain & Press 20 mins)

2 Tsp Salt

3/4 Tsp White Pepper

3/4 C Cornstarch

2 1/4 C Flour

1 Vegan “Egg” (Ener-g Egg Replacer)

16 oz Water

2 T Canola Oil

4.5 C Canola Oil (for frying)

Sliced Green Onion (for garnish)

Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish, optional)

(For Orange Sauce)

1 T Canola Oil

1/4-1/2 Tsp Red Chili Flakes

1 T Garlic, Minced

1/2 Tsp Ginger, Minced

1/4 C Sugar

1/4 C Brown Sugar

1/4 C Orange Juice

1/4 C White Vinegar

2 T Soy Sauce

2 T Water + 2 T Cornstarch (make corntarch slurry)

1 Tsp Sesame oil

Directions

While your tofu is pressing, get all of your other ingredients prepped and measured out.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, & white pepper. In a separate bowl, add the 16 oz water, 2 T canola oil, and “egg”. Pour this mixture into your bowl with the flour mixture. Whisk gently, until combined.

Dice Tofu into 3/4 in chunks, and stir gently into your batter. Be careful not to break up the tofu. Put in fridge to chill 20 mins.

Heat oil in a saucepan to 360°F. Take several pieces of battered tofu chunks at a time, shake off excess batter, drop into hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes, or until crunchy and light brown. Drain on paper towel-lined bowl or plate. Once all tofu has been fried, set aside.